EXCLUSIVE: ‘I was given permission’ by Health Minister- Bishop Cline
Previously, Mr Cline had publicly said he was not going to respect the 24-hour curfew but then recanted after reportedly coming under pressure from members of his congregation. He had told VINO he had revisited his position after 'wise counsel'.
‘A misunderstanding’
In an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) since his release; however, Mr Cline sought to clear the air over his brief detention, calling it a misunderstanding.
He claimed he was given permission by word of mouth from the Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) to have three persons livestream a sermon from the new Life Baptist Church (NLBC).
According to the Bishop, he was advised to seek permission from the Ministry of Health for the curfew passes.
“Initially, I applied for 20 passes. That was denied, but I was granted the permission for 3, so with the 3 passes, that I didn’t get in my hand physically, because the Minister himself told me that the office printing the passes had already closed by the time he got to them, but I had the permission to go ahead with my soundman and my cameraman and I can livestream from the church my sermon.”
Health Minister did not have ‘authority’ to grant exemptions
Mr Cline continued that after he finished preaching around 11:00 am, he noticed there were about 6 or 7 police officers outside of the church and they informed the persons there they were in breach of the curfew.
He said he informed the officers he was given permission by the Minister of Health for 3 persons to facilitate his church activity.
“I then called the Minister and I said ‘you have to call these guys’. So he called the officer on site and then after he spoke to him, the officer then told me ‘well then you have to call my boss the commissioner’," Bishop Cline said.
The Bishop alleged that the Health Minister spoke to the officer on site and also spoke to the Commissioner; however, the officer came back and said, “the Commissioner said the Minister does not have the authority to grant me permission under the curfew law. It should have come from the Governor. Therefore, they have to technically arrest me, which means come to the station with them, no handcuffs or anything like that.”
Mr Cline said he was allowed to drive to the station with his own vehicle to have the matter sorted out there.
He said all the while the Health Minister and Commissioner of Police “were talking back and forth, giving the inspector at the [Road Town] station instructions.”
Released with a Warning
Mr Cline said he was subsequently told by the inspector that he broke the curfew because he was under the assumption that he had the permission to proceed, “it’s just that the Minister could not give you that permission but you didn’t know that was not the case.”
He said he was given a warning and that the police had to note that he had to be removed from the [church] premises.
Mr Cline emphasised that the issue was a misunderstanding and that he did not intentionally try to break the curfew.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Hon Malone did not respond to our request for comment up to time of publication.
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65 Responses to “EXCLUSIVE: ‘I was given permission’ by Health Minister- Bishop Cline”
. Seek him and accept him and you’ll get the same
This curfew could kiss my a$$ I been out three times so far got my garbage emptied everything. Y’all will be just fine
That's why you CANNOT trust a soul in this place. Didn't Cline say he listened to wise counsel and decided not to go out after all yet still went out.
The Bible says a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Cline said the he Recanted his statement on breaking the law and said that he would abide by the law...
He did just that by following the instructions that were given about applying for a Pass and was given permission.
Read and understand:
He recanted his statement then still went ahead try to find a loophole to go in the church building by begging favours when HE IS NOT AN ESSENTIAL WORKER!
The PASSES ARE FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS!!
So this Devil is a liar. Most likely, an enemy of the State. There is always one.Not a good look for the current Gov and Premier Fahie nor these VI.
He just feel that he can break the rules and get away with it. He should have been taken to the headquarters in hand cuffs.
We missing the picture Imagine more than six person who ain't your family sharing apartment we call them room mate total strangers. The bishop share a massive church with his two brother (in the house of the lord ) which is essential to us all. Encouragement, counselling, motivations not to fear, stay strong and don't go crazy. This too will pass. And he was arrested. Remember jesus was arrested too in doing good.
Minister Malone is in the fore front in the fight to control the spread of the virus and he has been doing an excellent job until compromising the authority of the government. This matter must not be taken lightly. I am sure the Governor took note of this action and it will be death with. I absolved Pastor Cline on the grounds of invincible ignorance for his behaviour.
Furthermore, I have seen a video of the debacle in the church when the police arrived to arrest the pastor and other senior members of the church. Some of them were obstructing the police. I want make it abundantly clear that if the police are unable to maintain law and order in this territory then the governor has the authority to declare a state of emergency and invite the British troops that is just a stone throw away to maintain law and order as simple as that. I do hope that this pastor who thinks that he is above the law because of his "success" that got into his head will abide by the law. I thank God that I don't have to stoop under him for my survival
Where is the proof that he was given a pass?